The Hurricane 'Red Tag': 5 Signs Your Garage Door is an Immediate Failure Risk This Storm Season

(Winter Garden, FL - September 8, 2025) – It's early September in Central Florida, and as every resident knows, this is the heart of hurricane season. This is not the time for "maybe" or "later." When it comes to your home's safety, your garage door is the largest and most vulnerable entry point. A failure here can lead to catastrophic damage to your entire home.

Think of this as a safety inspection. An inspector would "red tag" a piece of equipment that is unsafe to operate. It’s time to look at your garage door with that same critical eye. If you see any of these five signs, consider your door a "Red Tag" risk—an immediate failure point that needs professional attention before a storm is on the forecast.

Red Tag #1: The Rusted, Peeling Bottom Panel

What to look for: Visible rust, bubbling or peeling paint, and corrosion, especially along the bottom section and corners of your steel door. Why it's a failure risk: This is more than just an eyesore; it's structural cancer for your door. Florida's moisture attacks the door from the bottom up. This compromised section, softened by rust and decay, will be the first to buckle under immense wind pressure or fail from flooding and water intrusion, allowing the storm into your home.

Red Tag #2: A Loud, Shaky, or Struggling Operation

What to look for: Your door groans, shrieks, grinds, or shudders violently as it opens and closes. Why it's a failure risk: This is your door screaming for help. These noises are symptoms of critical component failure—worn-out rollers, strained cables, loose hardware, or a failing opener. A system that struggles to function in calm weather has zero chance of holding together when battered by hurricane-force winds. Each shudder is a weak point that the storm will exploit.

Red Tag #3: No Visible Hurricane Reinforcement

What to look for: A lightweight, hollow-feeling door. Look on the inside: do you see several horizontal steel braces (struts) reinforcing each panel? Is there a sticker anywhere on the door indicating a wind-load or impact rating? Why it's a failure risk: This is the single biggest red flag. A non-reinforced garage door is essentially a giant sail. It is not designed to withstand the positive and negative pressures of a hurricane. It will bow, buckle, and be ripped from its tracks, leading to a catastrophic breach of your home's protective envelope.

Red Tag #4: You Can See Daylight Through the Gaps

What to look for: With the door closed, look around the perimeter. Can you see obvious gaps of daylight along the sides or bottom? Is the rubber bottom seal flattened, torn, or brittle? Is the vinyl weather trim on the frame cracked and peeling away? Why it's a failure risk: If daylight and bugs can get in, so can 100+ mph winds and torrential rain. These gaps allow destructive wind pressure to get a foothold, prying your door from its frame. This is also a direct entry point for feet of water during a storm surge or heavy rain.

Red Tag #5: It’s an Original from the '90s (or Earlier)

What to look for: Your door is over 20 years old and came with the house. Why it's a failure risk: Garage door technology—and more importantly, Florida’s building codes—have changed dramatically since hurricanes like Andrew. An older door was simply not built to modern safety and strength standards. Years of metal fatigue, an outdated spring system, and obsolete parts make it an unacceptable gamble in a modern storm.

Don't Wait for the Weather Channel Warning

Once a storm is named and the "cone of uncertainty" is on the news, it is too late. Our schedules fill up instantly, and supplies become scarce. The time to assess your risk and take action is now, while the skies are clear.

The Solution: A Professional Hurricane Safety Inspection

If you've identified one or more of these "Red Tags" on your garage door, don't panic—but don't wait. The experts at Best Panel Garage Doors can provide you with an honest, professional assessment of your door's readiness.

We will tell you if a simple, targeted repair like adding reinforcement struts or replacing a bottom seal is enough. If your door is a true liability, we’ll show you exactly why and discuss your options for a modern, impact-rated door that will protect your home and potentially lower your insurance premiums.

Your home's largest opening is its biggest vulnerability. Don't leave your family's safety to chance this September. Call Best Panel Garage Doors today to schedule your urgent Hurricane Readiness Inspection.

Call Us Now: 4078429048

Visit Our Website: www.bestpanelgaragedoors.com